With the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup just three months away, uncertainty continues to loom over one of cricket’s most anticipated fixtures: India vs Pakistan. Despite India being the official host for the tournament, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still awaiting a green light from the Indian government regarding the high-profile match against Pakistan.
Asia Cup 2025: Stakes high, clarity low
Scheduled for September, the 2025 Asia Cup is expected to be played in the T20 format, aligning with preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup in early 2026. However, the tournament’s fate remains uncertain amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in the wake of the April Pahalgam terrorist attack.
“Honestly, we don’t know yet. Women’s cricket is different as there are not a lot of eyeballs on the India-Pakistan match. But in men’s cricket, more than a billion people would tune in. Since the Operation Sindoor, there has been a negative view of an India-Pakistan match. We will seek more clarity from the government on the matter,” the BCCI official said, speaking to InsideSport.
Hosting hurdles and hybrid model challenges
India, as host, is expected to stage the bulk of the tournament, but under the current agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan would play their matches at a neutral venue—either Colombo or Dubai. Yet, BCCI has reportedly not initiated formal discussions with either Sri Lanka Cricket or the Emirates Cricket Board about hosting these matches.
The stakes are particularly high for broadcasters. Sony, which paid $170 million for Asian Cricket Council (ACC) broadcast rights, is counting on at least one India-Pakistan clash to drive viewership and ad revenue.
A promotional poster released recently featured India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh but conspicuously omitted Pakistan, fueling speculation that has since been dismissed.
Political green light remains key
Although the BCCI continues to participate in ICC events involving Pakistan, bilateral or multi-nation matches involving the two sides are subject to government approval.
“There is no discussion or even a remote thought about boycotting matches. We play Pakistan in the ICC events and it will go on if our government doesn’t say otherwise. As for Asia Cup, we will know in the coming days,” said the BCCI official.
The importance of an India-Pakistan match extends beyond sport, symbolizing diplomatic cues and carrying massive commercial implications. With the BCCI still in wait-and-watch mode, all eyes now turn to the Indian government to determine whether the 2025 Asia Cup can feature its most headline-grabbing fixture.
Broader implications for cricket in Asia
Complicating matters further is the dual role of PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi (also the country’s Interior Minister), who also serves as president of the ACC, which governs the Asia Cup. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal also holds a seat on the ACC board, adding additional layers of negotiation and diplomacy.
India is the defending Asia Cup champion, and any uncertainty around the event’s structure threatens the continuity of the subcontinent’s premier regional tournament. Meanwhile, the postponement of the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup previously scheduled for June suggests a fragile cricketing calendar in the region.
As the clock ticks toward September, a final decision from the Indian government will determine not only the fate of the India-Pakistan match but also the commercial and strategic direction of the 2025 Asia Cup.
